Pay raises possible for union members at American Airlines

American Airlines workers with Transport Workers Union of America, who work on the ground, get news of a potential pay increase.

TWU members will receive an across the board 4.3 percent raise if American Airlines and US Airways merge.

Information on the merger with US Airways was spelled out in an agreement shared with TWU leaders on a conference call Monday morning.

TWU International President James Little talked about the new agreement with aircraft mechanics at the Tulsa maintenance base Monday afternoon.

Little said, "Our members have made incredible sacrifices to keep American Airlines afloat. If there is a merger, their critical role must be recognized. This agreement is a step in that direction.”

The Memorandum of Understanding was hammered out over the past month with representatives of senior management at US Airways and American Airlines.

If there is a merger, according to the agreement, the TWU work groups will continue to operate under the American Airlines collective bargaining agreements.

The agreement still requires court approval and the terms will only become effective if a court approves a merger and plan of reorganization.

TWU represents more workers at American Airlines than any other union.